History

The real roots of cliff diving are found at Kaunolu, on the Hawaiian island of Lana´i.

Back in 1770, Kahekili (1710-1794) the last independent king of Maui and chief of four islands was famous for “lele kawa”, which in English means: Leaping off high cliffs and entering the water
feet first without a splash.

In order to prove their courage and loyalty, Kahekili forced his nakoa (warriors) to follow his example, jumping of the leap into the royal waters at Kaunolu.

One generation later, under King Kamehameha I, the Hawaiians practiced "lele kawa" in competition. Judgment was passed on the style of the dive and the amount of splash on entry.

Kahekili's leap at Kaunolu has always been regarded as holy, although the tradition of lele kawa became forgotten for a long time.

Nakoa on Kahekili's Leap

lele kawa

Myths from Acapulco

La Quebrada, or “The Break”, is the name of the famous rock in Acapulco.

In 1934, the 13 year old Enrique Apac Rios jumped off for the first time in history.

Several mortal injuries and exaggerated spot heights have made a mystical tourist attraction out of a former fishing village.

In fact, the top level dive is 26.5 meters high, the lower level 21 meters.

The rock profile together with the shallow water (maximum 4 m depth) are making this jump extremely dangerous.